For Immediate Release

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Meeta Parti

91 11 24198561

On January 28, the United States and India conducted a national consultation on water efficiency in urban areas. This consultation marked the culmination of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Water Analysis, Innovations, and Systems Program (WAISP) to increase access to safe drinking water and sanitation services.

“The analysis has resulted in a convergence of recommendations that have broader applicability and potential for scaling up, nationally,” said Mr. Gustafson, USAID India. He added, “The opportunities presented optimize water management by reducing industrial, municipal, and household water demand and reusing treated wastewater.”

WAISP assessed the water sector in India and identified water use-efficiency in the industrial, municipal, and household sectors. The program subsequently developed recommendations for three cities – Faridabad, Jaipur, and Pune on inter-sectoral water use that primarily involves the use of municipal wastewater by industry.

Water resources are particularly climate sensitive and therefore highly vulnerable to changes in climate. In the context of already scarce water resources in India, any changes in the quantity, timing, or intensity of rainfall are expected to exacerbate the challenges of meeting competing water uses, including drinking water for basic human needs, agriculture for food security, and use by industry. The Government of India has emphasized the efficient use of water and has established the National Water Mission, under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.

Indian Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Secretary, Mr. Pankaj Jain, Ministry of Urban Development Government of India Director, Mr. Ashutosh Joshi, and USAID/India Office of Clean Energy and Environment Director, Jeremy Gustafson participated in the consultation.

“The analysis has resulted in a convergence of recommendations that have broader applicability and potential for scaling up, nationally,” said Mr. Gustafson, USAID India. He added, “The opportunities presented optimize water management by reducing industrial, municipal, and household water demand and reusing treated wastewater.”

WAISP assessed the water sector in India and identified water use-efficiency in the industrial, municipal, and household sectors. The program subsequently developed recommendations for three cities – Faridabad, Jaipur, and Pune on inter-sectoral water use that primarily involves the use of municipal wastewater by industry.

Water resources are particularly climate sensitive and therefore highly vulnerable to changes in climate. In the context of already scarce water resources in India, any changes in the quantity, timing, or intensity of rainfall are expected to exacerbate the challenges of meeting competing water uses, including drinking water for basic human needs, agriculture for food security, and use by industry. The Government of India has emphasized the efficient use of water and has established the National Water Mission, under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.

Indian Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Secretary, Mr. Pankaj Jain, Ministry of Urban Development Government of India Director, Mr. Ashutosh Joshi, and USAID/India Office of Clean Energy and Environment Director, Jeremy Gustafson participated in the consultation.